10 Things to Do in Kyoto in November

In November, Kyoto is magical and autumnal with its vibrant colors and unique experiences: from the maple leaves that paint the landscapes in red and gold, to the traditional festivals that immerse you in its rich history and culture.

It's a month to put on your most comfortable shoes and walk along trails and through gardens, admire temples and shrines enveloped in the magical autumn atmosphere, and sample delicious seasonal dishes that will delight your palate. There are many things to see and do in Kyoto in November, when the city invites you to immerse yourself in a unique experience full of colors, traditions and flavors.

Momiji refers to the changing colors of the leaves of the trees, which take on warm and vibrant hues, creating a visual spectacle not to be missed throughout the city. Touring Kyoto' s best temples and gardens during this period will allow you to contemplate the beauty of autumn and immerse yourself in a calm and serene atmosphere.

November is the ideal month to enjoy Momiji to the fullest in Kyoto, when the colors reach their peak. You can't miss the gardens and parks famous for their beautiful maple leaves, such as Kiyomizudera Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

It is important to note that November is a popular month to visit Kyoto, so I recommend that you book accommodation and activities in advance. Also note that the weather can be cool, so bring warm clothes and an umbrella just in case. Be prepared to be captivated by Kyoto's autumnal beauty during Momiji!

In November, Kyoto is filled with tradition and beauty during the annual Japan Culture Day on November 3. You can start your day exploring the city's impressive temples and shrines, such as Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, and enjoy the architecture and serenity of its gardens.

Then you can immerse yourself in traditional arts, such as kabuki theater or a samurai show in Kyoto, or take part in a tea ceremony and enjoy the delicate and comforting taste of an authentic matcha, the green tea. In every corner of the city, you will discover artisan workshops applying traditional techniques in ceramics, weaving and calligraphy.

On Culture Day in Kyoto, it is ideal for you to visit its museums, such as the International Manga Museum and the Kyoto National Art Museum. During this day, all entrance fees are free and art exhibitions are organized.

The Gion Odori Geisha Festival is an annual event held in November, where you will immerse yourself in the charm of geisha and their unique art. The main stage is the Gion Kaikan Theater, located in the historic Gion district. There, you can marvel at the traditional dance and music performed by geisha and maiko.

The festival is a great opportunity to explore the Gion district, as its narrow streets and traditional buildings transport you back to Japan's feudal era. You can stroll along its cobblestone paths and admire its teahouses.

The Gion Odori Geisha Festival is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and charm of the city, and enjoy one of the best cultural performances in Kyoto, full of grace and elegance. This festival will transport you to a world of beauty and tradition that you will not easily forget - get ready for a unique experience in Kyoto!

Read more about the festival

• Location: 323 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan.
• Hours: there are two sessions of the show. The first starts at 13:30 and the second at 16:00.
• Ticket price: from 33 €.

Aki Matsuri is a traditional Japanese festival held in autumn in Kyoto on November 3, and attracts thousands of visitors every year. During the Aki Matsuri, you can enjoy performances of traditional music and dance, such as gagaku and kagura. These authentic artistic expressions will transport you back to Japan's ancient times and allow you to appreciate its history and culture.

At the Aki Matsuri, attendees at Tanukidanisan Fudoin temple are invited to write their wishes on wooden tablets, which shugendō monks will then throw into a sacred bonfire. In this way they also ask for luck for the coming months.

At the Aki Matsuri festival they give thanks for the harvest and ask for blessings for the future. It is a great opportunity to connect with Japanese spirituality and tradition, as visitors can be part of these spiritual practices and immerse themselves in the culture and religious beliefs of Japan.

More information about the event

• Location: 6 Ichijōji Matsuharachō, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu.
• Hours: daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Admission fee: from €3.50 per person.

The Changenkyo Matsuri Tea Festival, also known as Teatopia, is an annual event held in November in the town of Wazuka, about an hour from Kyoto. During Teatopia, tea culture is celebrated in a festive and participatory way, where you can experience tea picking, participate in a ceremony, enjoy tastings and learn about the production process.

In addition to tea ceremonies, there are displays of traditional tea utensils, demonstrations of tea brewing, and you can interact with local producers. The event also invites you to explore the beautiful scenery of Wazuka, known for its terraced tea plantations and breathtaking panoramic views. Visiting Wakuka is one of the best excursions you can take from Kyoto.

By attending the Changenkyo Matsuri in Wazuka, you can immerse yourself in tea culture and enjoy an authentic experience in a picturesque setting. Don't forget to plan your visit in advance and check the exact dates of the festival, as it may vary slightly each year. Be prepared to enjoy the serenity of Wazuka and this ancient drink!

In November, the Tadasu no Mori Forest is transformed into a breathtaking visual spectacle. The deciduous trees display a variety of autumn colors, creating a picturesque and lively landscape. Cycling along the meandering trails while enjoying the fresh air and warm-hued scenery is one of the best things to do in Kyoto.

This forest is home to Shimogamo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest and most revered shrines in Japan. November is very significant at the shrine due to the rituals and festivities that take place during this month, such as colorful ceremonies and festivals that reflect Japanese culture and traditions.

But if you want to amplify this experience, you can take a hidden electric bicycle tour of Kyoto. This ride takes in, among other attractions, the fascinating Kinkakuji Temple complex or Golden Temple. It is ideal to enjoy the beginning of Momiji, and the natural beauty, spirituality and culture of Kyoto.

During Shichi-go-san in Kyoto, children aged 3, 5 and 7 are honored. It is an annual festival, held at different shrines, the most important of which is at Heian Shrine, held on November 15. The shrine, located in the heart of Kyoto, offers a serene setting to celebrate these milestones in the lives of children.

Shichi-go-san is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with children in Kyoto. Children wear kimonos and traditional dress, while parents proudly accompany them. At the shrine, sacred purification rituals are performed and special blessings are offered to wish them health and happiness.

In addition, the surroundings of the shrine are filled with food stalls and games, so you cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy the joyful atmosphere and taste delicious local dishes, which are usually included in the best gastronomic tours of Kyoto.

Children are sprinkled with holy water to ward off evil spirits, and families take the opportunity to take pictures in the beautiful gardens of the shrine. Without a doubt, Shichi-go-san is a unique celebration that immerses you in the rich Japanese tradition.

More information about Shichi-go-san

• Location: 97 Nishi Ten-no-cho, Okazaki Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (Heian Shrine).
• Hours: the shrine is open from 6 am to 5 pm, and the gardens from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Admission fee: entrance to the shrine is free. Admission to the gardens is about €4 for adults and €2 for children.

The Ōhitaki Fire Festival at Fushimi Inari Taisha is a fascinating celebration held in early November. Being the main shrine of the more than 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan, Fushimi Inari attracts visitors and parishioners from all over the country.

The festival begins with rituals in the main hall, where priests offer food and drinks, prayers are read, and priestesses perform sacred dances. Priests and attendees then move to an open space in the sanctuary, where three bonfires are lit. The priests throw bundles of prayer sticks into the fire, symbolizing the release of the shrine visitors' wishes.

Also during this special festival, the deity Inari is invoked to rest on the mountain of the same name during the winter months in Kyoto after her hard work in the rice fields during the harvest.

More information about the festival

• Location: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto.
• Hours: the festival is held every November 8 from 1 pm and bonfires are lit from 6 pm.
• Admission: free of charge.

If one of your favorite things to do is to travel with flavors, in November you can attend the best cooking classes in Kyoto. In the heart of autumn, the city displays unique recipes, made from the typical products of the region and served in establishments surrounded by all the beauty and harmony of the place.

Here are some of the most characteristic flavors of this time of year that are often incorporated in these recipes and that you will surely want to learn how to use or prepare.

Tsukimi-dango rice cakes

It is made with rice from the first harvest, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Tsukimi means "to look at the moon", and it is a recipe that has been made for centuries. In autumn, some restaurants and establishments offer related products, such as tsukimi burgers.

Chestnuts

This is another typical autumn food in Kyoto. In the city's markets, such as Tsukijl or especially Nishiki, you can buy roasted chestnuts in its oldest stores. Also, in many of its restaurants, you can taste boiled rice with chestnuts mochigome or pressed rice cakes with chestnuts.

Chitose-ame candies

During Shichi-go-san (Children's Day), it is customary to give these candies made from rice vinegar and sugar. But these are not just candies for children, as they are filled with amulets and symbols of good fortune and longevity.

Maple leaves

Undoubtedly the most characteristic snack of the region (and perhaps the most particular). In autumn, these red-tinted leaves are a typical edible product. Battered like a cookie, you can enjoy them while strolling through the city's gardens watching the momiji.

The Kyokusui No Utage, or Meandering Stream Festival, is a very old Shinto ritual celebrated in spring (April 29) and autumn (November 3) in some places in Japan. Among these, the Jōnangū shrine, located south of Kyoto, stands out, where this ritual is performed in the same way as it was celebrated in its origins.

The Kyokusui No Utage consists of an event in which Japanese-style poems (waka) are written and read, while drinking sake near a stream of water.

The participants, dressed in typical costumes, enter the garden where the priest tells them the theme on which they must compose their poems. Then the poets, seated near a stream, write their poems, and every now and then cups of sake are sent on little boats in the shape of birds.

During the celebration, the music of several koto can be heard in the garden of Jōnangū. It is certainly an experience that will transport you to the poetry contests of ancient times.

For more information, please visit

• Location: 7 Nakajimatobarikyūchō, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu (Jōnangū Shrine)
• How to get there: by subway, getting off at Takeda station and walking about 20 minutes. Also from the station, at the Hachijō exit, there are buses to the shrine.
• Interesting fact: the shrine has extensive gardens divided into five areas with designs representing different landscape styles of Japanese history.